BALZAN.....................1

VALLETTA..................2

Balzan: I. Janjusevic, J. Grioli, C. Brincat, E. Serrano, S. Bezzina, P. Fenech, P. Dos Santos Calcado, D. Grima, L. Micallef, A. da Silva Souza (B. Kaljevic 46’), A. Effiong

Valletta: H. Bonello, U. Calistus, R. Camilleri, J. Caruana, I. Azzopardi, C. Pani, R. Briffa, R. Ledesma (A. Nafti 64’), J. Benites (R. Romao 88’), M. Mifsud (L. Cremona 84’), F. Falcone

Yellow Cards: P. Fenech 17’, P. Dos Santos Calcado 34’, C. Brincat 86’, B. Kaljevic 90’ (B), M. Mifsud 17’, R. Camilleri 84’, F. Falcone 87’ (V)

Scorers: F. Falcone 13’, M. Mifsud 81’ (V), B. Kaljevic 59’ (B)

Referee: Esther Azzopardi

Assistant Referees:Alan Camilleri, William Debattista

Additional Assistant Referees: Mario Apap, Philip Farrugia

BOV Player of the match: Federico Falcone (Valletta)

Attendance: 2410

Stewart Said

Valletta kept their spot on top of the BOV Premier League when they defeat Balzan 2-1 in a highly contested match to open partially a four point gap over Hibernians as the Champions play today against Birkirkara.

Balzan made a good reaction in the league after their defeat against Hibernians. Oliver Spiteri’s side were better in the second half as with the inclusion of striker Bojan Kaljevic, they changed formation and were more dangerous with the striker from Montenegro leaving his mark.

Referees Esther Azzopardi had a tough match to handle as there was a lot at stake. The game was very tough and there were also calls for penalties, apart from numerous yellow cards that Azzopardi showed during the game. The supporters of Valletta attended the game in full force with a beautiful choreography before the match.

Valletta started the match on the attack and went close to open the score in their first attempt after six minutes when a shot by Pani bounced before Janjusevic with the goalkeeper tipping for a corner. Few seconds later, Ian Azzopardi tried with a shot from distance that finished well over the bar.

The Citizens went ahead on the 13th minute when Falcone crossed to Jhonnattann, Bezzina cleared partially and from the rebound Federico Falcone blasted past Janjusevic with a splendid shot. Two minutes later they appealed for a penalty from an alleged foul of Serrano over Michael Mifsud but Azzopardi waved play on.

On the 18th minute Calcado tried with a shot from outside the box that finished off target and few seconds later Jhonnattann also fired over the bar. Valletta appealed for another penalty on the 23rd minute when a shot by Mifsud allegedly hit the hands of a Balzan defender but again Azzopardi waved play on. Few seconds later Ledesma passed to Falcone but his effort finished over the bar.

Balzan tried on the 33rd minute with a well taken free-kick by Calcado that found Bonello ready to inercept. Valletta replied on the 43rd minute with a low shot by Jhonnattann that finished inches off target.

Balzan also appealed for a penalty on the 49th minute for a contact between Effiong and Azzopardi but the play continued. The substitute Kaljevic left his mark on the 50th minute when he received a low cross from Justin Grioli, but his low shot finished very close to the net. Four minutes later the same combination was dangerous as but this time the header by Kaljevic finished over the bar.

Valletta had the occasion to double on the 55th minute when Benites served Michael Mifsud who advanced and came face to face with Janjusevic but the Balzan goalkeeper saved with his legs.

Balzan equalised on the 59th minute when Dylan Grima gave a good through ball, Kaljevic took advantage from an indecision by Ryan Camilleri and beat Henry Bonello with a low shot. Valletta appealed for a penalty on the 70th minute for a contact in the penalty area between Serrano and Falcone but the referee kept the play going.

Valletta had another occasion on the 79th minute  when Calistus crossed from the right to Jhonnattann who headed wide. The citizens scored the winning goal on the 81st minute when Falcone gave a low through ball to Michael Mifsud who advanced and beat Janjusevic with a low shot.

Balzan’s reaction came on the 85th minute with a free-kick by Calcado that finished wide. The last few minutes were nerve racking but Valletta managed to hold on the pressure for an important win.

ST ANDREWS -               3

NAXXAR LIONS -            1

St Andrews: J. Galea, E. Beltre, E. Nkene, B. Che (L. Grech), J. Cuestra, D. Camilleri (M. Desira Buttigieg), F. Onwudinjo, J. Farrugia (R. Sammut), V. Oseghale, K. Nwoko, S. Wisdom

Naxxar L: A. Gallinetta, A. Scicluna, R. Grech, E. Casado, D. Toure’ (J. Debono), D. Falzon, J. Godar Pereira (A. Hungria), D. Fenech, D. Bonnici (M. Fenech), A. Buhagiar, E. Hamutenya

Referee: A.M. Sant

Asst.refs:  E. Spiteri, T. Debono

4th official: M. Borg

Scorers: K. Nwoko 17, 26, V. Oseghale 65, E. Casado 90+ pen

Yellow cards: E. Casado, A. Scicluna

Red card: D. Falzon

Player of the match: V. Oseghale (St Andrews)

TMI top 3: 1. V. Oseghale  2. S. Wisdom  3. J. Farrugia

SILVIO VELLA

St Andrews’ hopes of avoiding the drop were kept alive following this comfortable win over Naxxar Lions in the penultimate match of the season. They now trail Naxxar above them by only two points and if they beat Qormi on the final day and the Lions take no points from their game against Sliema Wanderers, the Saints will avoid automatic relegation.

Naxxar needed only a point yesterday to go for a play-off but again failed miserably as they performed well below their standards and were completely outclassed by more determined opponents.

This was a one-sided match between two teams jagged between delight and despair and, who knows, staying up or going down.

St Andrews dominated despite coming into the game on a downer, having lost all their previous five league matches and knocked out of the FA Trophy.

This was the third game for St Andrews within a week after defeats against Sliema Wanderers in the Premier League and the FA Trophy.

The Saints had both Matteo Desira Buttigieg and Liam Grech named among the susbtitutes. Michael Johnson was suspended and Dale Camilleri started in midfield instead.

Still, their running, passing and imagination made Naxxar look like mere bystanders,  as there was a lethargy in the Lions’s play.

Naxxar had Eduardo Vallecillo Casado back in the side. Duane Bonnici also started the match as both Jurgen Debono and Mark Fenech were relegated to the bench.

St Andrews made the more assertive start. Nwoko went close with a header and Oseghale shot against the side netting. On nine minutes, Oseghale tested keeper Gallina with a curling shot from the edge of the area, turned into a corner.

It took the Saints only 17 minutes to make the breakthrough. Kyran Nwoko was the more alert as he connected to a high ball inside the Naxxar area and headed in.

St Andrews doubled their advantage nine minutes later. Oseghale played a through  ball inside the Naxxar area for Kyrian Nwoko to go past his marker and finish off his style.

This was 26 minutes in and just reward for the Saints.

Naxxar looked demoralised by the superiority of their opponents as they had no answer to the speed and movement of Salomon Wisdom and Victor Oseghale. They rarely tested Jake Galea in the St Andrews’ goal during the first half.

St Andrews remained the better team even after the interval but were growing increasingly wasteful, going close on four occasions before the hour mark.

Oseghale’s cross fell to Nwoko, whose shot was repelled by keeper Gallinetta and Cuestra’s header on the rebound was held out by defender Scicluna.

Then Oseghale raced in from the left. His shot took a deflection into a corner.

On 55 minutes Farrugia shot over on a Cuestra inviting pass before the same St Andrews captain had avoided the grounded Naxxar keeper but Hamutenya blocked.

St Andrews deservingly had a third on 65 minutes. On a Farrugia corner from the right, Naxxar’s clearance fell to Wisdom who rolled the ball forward to Victor Oseghale to beat the keeper from close range when kept onside by the static Naxxar defence.

Completely undone, Naxxar’s first real chance fell on 75 minutes. On a Che slip, Falzon found the ball at his feet inside the area but keeper Galea blocked.

One minute before normal time, Naxxar had Falzon sent off for a crude tackle on substitute Desira Buttigieg before reducing the arrears through a Eduardo Casado penalty after Grech had handled the ball inside the area.

QORMI-                                1

SLIEMA WANDERERS  -      0

Qormi: J.M. Vella, E. Vella, K. Magro (C. Barbara), D. Leeflang, A. Cassar, O. Sidibe, N. Ojuola, Y, Yankam, C. Gauci, I. Zammit, N. Go (T. Vella)

Sliema W: G. Zammit, A. Muscat, S. Bianciardi, A. Friggieri, N. Priso,  M. Potezica, M. Sansone (J.P. Farrugia), P. Xuereb, J. Bezzina (M. Scerri), D. Dos Santos, G. Muir

Referee:  M. Degabriele

Asst.refs: D. Sultana, P. Abela

4th official: F. Zammit

Scorers:  N. Ojuola 16

Yellow cards: S. Bianciardi, M. Scerri

Player of the match: N. Ojuola (Qormi)

TMI top 3: 1. C. Gauci  2. K. Magro  3. P. Xuereb

Attendance: 242

Ojuola gives Qormi a breather

SILVIO VELLA

Noah Ojuola scored a goal of immeasurable importance to give Qormi a rare victory against Sliema Wanderers, in a mediocre match devoid of real incident.

Following this win, the first in more than four months and 17 matches for Qormi, and Naxxar Lions defeat earlier, the relegation issue will be decided on the final day of the season and, maybe, beyond.

As it stands, Qormi’s slim hopes of survival rest with them beating St Andrews next week and Naxxar losing to Sliema Wanderers. Highly improbable, but still possible, that would need a decider for the play-off against Divison 1 side Senglea Athletic.

Sliema did have some half chances to equalise but, apart from Denni Dols Santos twice hitting the woodwork in the first half, they looked far from capable of puncturing Qormi’s compact defence.

Sliema were bereft of several regulars and handed starts to Aidan Friggieri, Michele Sansone and Peter Xuereb as Glen Zammit returned in goal.

Their performance was far removed from Tuesday’s committment against St Andrews in the FA Trophy quarter final.

Qormi coach Johann Scicluna was forced to do without the suspended Ryan Micallef in attack. Terence Vella started on the bench and went in past the hour as Iven Zammit and Yannick Yankam were given the nod instead.

Sliema had already gone close to breaking the deadlock after 12 minutes when an erratic footed clearance by keeper Jean Matias Vella allowed the ball to run freely to Denni, who advanced before steering the ball against the foot of the post.

Having overcome that scare, Qormi hit back past the quarter hour. A Go corner from the right was deflected by the towering Sidibe for Noah Ojuola to head in from close range.

Five minutes later, Sliema went close to drawing level. Denni delivered a cross from the byeline on the left that fell to the unmarked Priso but he headed straight on the keeper’s body.

Despite holding to possession, Sliema remained erratic in the final third. Bezzina shot over from a distance. And on the stroke of halftime the Wanderers wre unlcuky when Denni’s scorcher rebounded off the underside of the bar and Muscat’s header on the rebound was cleared into a corner by Magro.

Sliema put in Jean Paul Farrugia for Sansone after the break to give them more impetus in attack as Qormi retreated deeper inside their own half.

But the second half had also failed to ignite. Sliema’s possession, turning the ball around, spread some anxiety but the Qormi goalkeeper remained under employed.

On 75 minutes Denni headed Muscat’s cross widen and in the dying minutes another of his efforts was cleared into a corner by the Qormi defence. In all fairness, judging from  their showing, Sliema would have needed much more than 90 minutes to score.

Stewart Said

PEMBROKE A..............0

TARXIEN R..................4

Pembroke: M. Farrugia, O. Obiefule (G. Da Silva 67’), M. Micallef, T. Fenech (S. Eddin Arab 54’), Z. Levnaic, A. Cini, R. Tanti (L. Grech 61’), G. Villalobos, O. Bugeja, T. Agius, A. Laudisi

Tarxien: A. Cassar, E. Baker, T. Caruana, B. Muscat, A. Nilsson (L. Montebello 46’), A. Azzopardi (R. Bajada 84’), S. Prendes, A. da Paixao Alves (M. Caruana 81’), M. Tabone, J. Pedro Oliveira Santos, C. Frances

Yellow Cards: J. Pedro Oliveira Santos 29’, S. Prendes 44’, T. Caruana 74’, A. da Paixao Alves 78’ (T)

Scorers: C. Frances 25’, 44’, J. Pedro Oliveira Santos 66’, A. Azzopardi 79’ (T)

Referee: Stefan Pace

Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Chris Francalanza

BOV Player of the match: Claudio Frances (Tarxien Rainbows)

In a match in which both sides no particular objectives to play for, Tarxien Rainbows continued to defend their sixth place when they brushed aside Pembroke Athleta 4-0.

This win meant that Tarxien returned to winning ways after three defeats in the league and the elimination from the FA Trophy.

Tarxien controlled the play from the outset as Pembroke couldn’t control the midfield zone from where Tarxien were creating their chances.

Both teams were recovering from two hours of football as they played in the second biggest cup on Tuesday and Wednesday.

After 20 minutes of no action, Tarxien created their first chance on the 22nd minute with a shot from Claudio Frances that finished over the bar.

They took the lead three minutes later when Ayrton Azzopardi crossed a good ball from the right to the unmarked Claudio Frances who headed past Matthew Farrugia from few metres away.

The Rainbows could have doubled on the 32nd minute when Alex da Paixao Alves passed to Alex Nilsson who tried with a turning shot that missed the woodwork.

Alves could have scored five minutes but from an ideal position, his low shot finished off target.

Tarxien continued to attack and on the 41st minute Baker missed a great opportunity when he received a good cross from the right by Prendes but the defender show his weak attacking abilities by firing over the bar.

Claudio Frances made up for that mistake three minutes later when he doubled with a shot from inside the box that gave Farrugia no chance.

Pembroke could have reduced the gap after the restart when American midfielder Gustavo Villalobos tried with a good shot from outside the box, but his effort finished off target.

Tarxien scored their third goal on the 66th minute when Claudio Frances gace another good ball to Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos who chipped over Farrugia in front of goal.

The game was decided and both teams looked only to wait for the final whistle, but there was still time to play on and on the 73rd minute went again close with a placed shot by Oliveira Santos that was tipped into a corner by Matthew Farrugia.

But Tarxien managed to net the poker on the 79th minute when Ayrton Azzopardi received a good ball and with a low shot on the far post beat Farrugia. Sergio Prendes to add another goal, few minutes before the end of the game but Farrugia saved his central shot.